general problems of the 2020 Honda Pilot - part 1

This is about the auto stop/start feature that kicks in when you are stopped in traffic or at a stoplight. The car shuts down and is supposed to restart. Twice now, the car has refused to restart when I took my foot off the break. I had to turn the car off, open the door, and close the door and restart the car. I have no shut off that feature.

My battery died while the vehicle was parked. I needed to physically move the vehicle but could not because the electronic button shifter would not allow me to put the transmission in neutral. The only way to move it out of park is a lengthy process requiring tools, engine component removals and a manual shifting of the linkage using a long wrench. My solution, was I had to leave the vehicle unattended, call a friend, get tools and replace the battery while blocking traffic. Safety concerns were that the vehicle was blocking traffic at a business and no documentation by Honda of how to fix or even shift the vehicle into neutral. Now consider if someone has to try and manually tow the vehicle while in park! I replaced the battery myself, but this is a well documented issue with electronic shifters, that will never make a dealership or service departments records or statistics! there was no warning of the failure, or battery light illuminating. Previous vehicle inspections at the dealership gave no indication that the battery was failing.

All safety features on the dashboard have lit up all are constantly on. Honda America states no open recall, I see many forums for Honda owners having this issue that also impacts safety.

I am the original owner of my Honda Pilot and have always taken the vehicle to Honda dealerships for all scheduled maintenance and service. On [xxx], I noticed the air conditioning was blowing only warm air, with no cold air at all. I scheduled an appointment at germain Honda in beavercreek, ohio, where the vehicle was inspected on July 28, 2025. I was informed that the a/c system had suffered what is often called “a/c black death” and that the entire a/c system would need replacement at a cost of $6,753. 93. I was also told that no parts were available and that I would be contacted when they became available. I have not been contacted since. When I asked why this happened, I was told it was rare and that I was just unlucky. However, my own research has shown that many Honda Pilot owners (and likely ridgeline owners as well) have experienced the same failure, sometimes repeatedly, even after dealer repairs. Honda has issued recalls and extended warranties for a/c failures in other models such as the civic and cr-v, but not for the Pilot, despite widespread reports. This is a serious safety issue. Where I live, July and August were extremely hot. The lack of a/c made the vehicle unsafe to operate, as every year children and pets tragically die in overheated vehicles. Driving without functional a/c in extreme heat creates a health hazard for families. I was unable to use my vehicle at all during these peak summer months. My Pilot has fewer than 100,000 miles, has been well maintained, and should not have suffered a complete a/c system failure this early in its life. Honda has clearly known about systemic a/c issues in multiple models yet has not taken responsibility for Pilot owners. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C.

No incident. Turned my car on and the acc, lkas, collision mitigation and brake system lights all are amber.

Since purchasing the vehicle there was a leak under the driver's side console after heavy rains. After multiple trips to the dealer they directed us to replace the windshield. We did so (under protest). The leak still existed. The dealership determined that there was a gap at the a pillar. We worry that this is related to the sturcture recall about missing welds. Honda will not admit to any issue.

Crackling sounds coming from the front of the car similar to the original recall in 2020 and the front digital panel is not functioning and shutting down endangering the drive by not displaying information. My recall was cleared but the malfunction seems to have returned.

The 'infotainment system; which in includes the navigation system and backup camera and sensors suddenly goes black. I may first get a black screen with "network communications lost" message, then it goes black or get a message that says "unfortunately, com. Honda. Tuner has stopped". It started happening after I had to replace the batter. This was the 2nd replacement battery I've had to install. I had the battery replaced in March, 2025 at my Honda dealer, and before I even got home I started getting the messages. Sometimes, the infotainment system may come back, other times, it does not come back. If I pull over, shut the car down, wait a few mintues, open the door and then close the door, it may come back when I start the car up again. I took it to the dealer - they could not figure out the problem and said that maybe replacing the tuner for 1600 would help, but they would not guarantee it. I've contact american Honda and lodged a complaint in June 2025 but so far it has not even been assigned to a manager.

I pulled into a parking space at pam rehab hospital. Pressed the brake to stop vehicle and it accelerated forward with passenger side wheel jumping over concrete bar and into bushes and driver side concrete bar stopped it from going into the retaining wall. All airbags deployed trapping me in vehicle. Vehicle remained running and I was able to put in park and turn off engine so nurse from rehab could get me out.

The auto start/stop on my car will cause my car to not restart when I’m at a stoplight. This has happened multiple times. I have to remember to turn off the auto start/stop function every time I get in the vehicle. It will shut my whole car down and take several seconds for me to be able to turn the car back on putting me at risk when I’m stopped in traffic. It has happened multiple times since may 2024.

Every week or two, sometimes multiple times in same week, the 2020 Honda Pilot would turn on randomly in accessory mode where headlights would come on and/or infotainment/radio would come up, or alarm/horns would go on by themselves. Often in the middle of the night when car was in a garage. Sometimes during the day. New vechicle battery was replaced 2 months earlier. Batterries in key fobs were replace but issue continued. Honda dealership diagnosed it as keyless access unit letting voltage through transistor waking ignition switch and recommended replacement of keyless access unit. 2020 Pilot was 4 years old with 55,832 miles. Appears to be a common issue/complaint on online forums with replacement of remote keyless access control unit. Dealership replaced unit 19 days ago.

2020 Honda Pilot with 80000 miles. A car I loved and had for over a year. I was driving from florida to texas. Everything was fine when I started. About 600 miles down I was at 70 mph and had to go little faster to overtake a truck because the shoulder was too small and my lane is about merge in to truck lane. There were at-least 10 vehicles behind me. I hit the accelerator pedal all the way until it touched frame but the engine is not at all responding and slowly losing power. The lane I was in was about to merge in to truck lane. I had to hit brakes with vehicles behind me but some how I managed to not get hit by them. It could have gone worse.

Car shuts off when going into idle when at a traffic stop or in traffic. Does not restart. Completely shuts off goes into neutral then park and have to press brake and start the car again. Has happens 4 times in last 2 weeks.

The backup camera on my 2020 Honda Pilot shows green and purple blobs on the image. These colors make it very difficult for me to safely use the camera to back up. The guiding lines are hard to see and images of objects or people beside or behind the car are covered by these green and purple colors. This is very dangerous. I have seen online that many others have the same issue. I have completed the recall of the cables to the camera but that did not address this issue. The camera is almost useless now. All other images on the dash screen are fine.

The water is leaking from the driver- side rail beween the diver window and from windshield. I took it to Honda dealer they told me windshield issue need to replace it. As recommend I replaced the windshield and the water is pouring from it during the rain. Issue still exist. I reached out several mechnics they told me it is body issue from sun/moon roof.

When the vehicle comes to a stop and the auto-engine-start-stop feature is engaged, the vehicle will shift itself into neutral and will not disengage until you shut off the vehicle and turn it back on.

While stopped at a red traffic light after taking a freeway exit with one foot on the brake, my 2020 Honda Pilot engaged in auto stop (auto idle stop). When the traffic light turned green, I took my foot off of the brake, the vehicle attempted to start but stalled with the electrical components still on (dashboard indicators and ventilation still on). I stepped on the brake and attempted to put the vehicle in park, but noticed the vehicle would not shift out of neutral. I pressed the start/stop button (ignition) and the dashboard indicators flashed but the engine did not start until the second attempt. Somewhere in between, I pressed the emergency lights to indicate to drivers behind me of an issue. About 15-20 seconds had lapsed during my troubleshooting attempt. Prior to this event, there were at least 8 individual events where when the auto start/stop was engaged and disengaged, the dashboard would flash warning signals for a fraction of a second with an audible warning sound. Dashboard warnings flashed on and off too quickly to clearly see what was being displayed. A short delay in restarting the vehicle from idle stop would occur, about 1-2 seconds but the car would then proceed and run as usual.

The problem is with the fuel system. My vehicle has stopped in traffic twice already.

My rearview camera guidelines are a mile off. Honda allegedly can't do anything to fix this. This could cause an unnecessary accident or cause a person to hit a pedestrian. Especially when it's as bad as this vehicle is. I'm talking 1. 5 feet that's it's wrong.

The recurring malfunctions in my vehicle's front screen system have repeatedly endangered me, especially when it suddenly blacks out while navigating unfamiliar roads or during backing maneuvers. Additionally, the faulty front vehicle sensor has caused my vehicle to halt abruptly, even when no obstacles are present. Despite numerous visits to the dealer, the issues persist, and their repeated requests to bring it in have yielded no solutions. Since purchasing the vehicle new in 2020, these persistent safety concerns have become increasingly dangerous as they are getting worse. I have attempted to contact Honda with no resolution.

Complaint of water leak from the front windshield, water leaks into the front floorboard. It is a known 2023 Honda Pilot issue dated 5. 18. 23, but the 2020 has the same leak.

Windows down and sunroof open randomly if the unlock button on the fob is pushed too long. This can happen then the fob is in your pocket. I have found my car with the windows all open. Casuing the possiblity of the car being stolen, or worse this can happen and if it rains it an damage the car. Dealer says this cannot be disabled.

American Honda states they performed NHTSA recall number 23v-431 but rear view camera still does not operate correctly. They are stating that I must pay out of pocket to replace a different part to be able to have the rear view camera operational again and per the terms of the recall notice, I am to have this fixed without charge and within a reasonable amount of time. Please help!.

Nhtsa recall number 23v-431 calls for cable connectors to be changed out due to poor connections resulting in the rear view camera image to function intermittingly or not display at all. Per Honda engineering, this repair is not sufficient to fix the issue and the main head unit has to be replaced too. Please include this as a part of this safety recall because of the safety issues it is causing as it relates to driver safety and federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 111, "rear visibility".

The infotainment system that controls all audio and backup cameras to the car has been malfunctioning for years. The problem is the system will shut it self off and remain non functional for long periods of time then will turn itself back on at anytime. The dealer (with aid from Honda field service tech) have evaluated the car multiple times and addressed the issue. Each time the same issue return. There has been multiple recalls for the issue and they have all been addressed but then the problems always return. While the system is down no audio feature of the car is available such as audible backup warning, audible collision warnings etc.

Transmission was running hot causing the Pilot to have a bad "jitter" when driving. The software had to be updated and transition had to be flushed a few times.

The adhesive that holds headliner on this vehicle is causing it to separate from the ceiling and I’m concerned that it will fall and block my view when driving. Can cause a serious accident. We recently had a recall problem with the adhesive on the side view mirrors .

On three separate occasions, after stopping at a traffic light or in a parking lot, I was unable to move my car. The first time, the transmission dropped into neutral and I was unable to get it to any other gear . I had to turn off and restart the car multiple times to get it into gear. I was on a heavily trafficked road with multiple cars behind me at the light. Turned my flashers on and prayed to not get hit. The second time. I was in a parking lot and was leaving. I pulled into a space to look for something and got a message to put the car in park. I was unable to do so. Had to turn off and restart the car twice before it would go into park. I then turned it off and back on and was able to get it into gear. Happened again on a 55 mph road with my grandkids. Very scary. Honda dealer said that for a tiny second after the auto idle engaged the battery power was too low to restart the car. Their solution was for me to purchase a new battery. I feel this is an engineering and safety issue and was not properly addressed during the auto idle recall.

The auto idle stop system was engaged at a red light after exiting an expressway. When the light turned green, and I removed my foot from the brake, the transmission moved to neutral, and the engine would not start up again. I was unsuccessful in getting the car to start again by either pushing the start/stop button or adjusting the transmission to park. The battery indicator light was illuminated during this process, but no other errors were displayed. I connected a battery-powered jump starter within 3-5 minutes of the failure, and the vehicle started on the first attempt. The auto idle stop system had worked as expected earlier in the drive and there were no other indications of any issues with the vehicle prior to the incident. My entire family's safety was at serious risk since we were stalled on a busy 6 lane road with no ability to move the vehicle to the shoulder and I had to avoid traffic to get to the trunk and under the hood and spend time connecting the jump starter and subsequently attempting to start the vehicle. We are yet to bring the vehicle to the dealership for inspection.

On multiple occasions the fob randomly locks the car. Last time this happened on this past Friday it was hot outside and I had to frantically break out the window to get my baby out.

There is a crackling/popping noise coming through the speakers and then a sudden loud noise and the audio system will shut off. The warning sounds from the safety features also stop working when the loud noise happens. The noise is quite shocking when you are driving. The audio system has to be restarted to work again.

While driving on a highway, my sunroof exploded. There were no other vehicles near me and nothing hit the vehicle or sunroof. Shards of glass came loose from the vehicle thankfully my sunshade was closed, or the glass would have entered the cabin.

There is an active safety recall for the passenger side view mirrors due to risk of mirrors detaching. I brought my vehicle in to have the recall addressed and the mirror replaced and the mirror that it was replaced with is defective. The images are warped as if you are looking in a fun mirror. It is very dizzying/distracting and I am concerned that is it an extreme safety hazard while driving. The service manager at Honda had told me that he has had multiple customers complain about the replacement mirrors and he is being told by Honda there is nothing that can be done about it. I am extremely concerned about the safety of myself and my small children while driving this vehicle with this faulty mirror. I have attached images that show the distortion of the mirror in still images however, it is much worse while the vehicle is in motion.

Passenger side floor soaked. Dealer said it was a grommet that was missing on ac line and was fixed. However the issue is still happening. Had to replace carpet and most likely will have to again. And the problem is still not fixed.

Sunroof exploded without warning while driving on the highway at 75mph. The explosion was extremely loud and the scare could have caused me to cause an accident with other cars nearby. I had two little children with me in the car. Vehicle has been sitting at the dealership, with not eta of part due to backorder.